August 2023 - Replenish
This feels like the right "R" word for the month of August. It's my birthday month, which always inspires an awareness that it's time to refuel, recharge, and relax not only to enjoy the last month of summer, but also to ensure I'm ready for autumn when new projects invariably require fresh energies.
Water is what replenishes me. I'll be by the ocean in September and October, which I will relish---another good "R" word. But for August, nothing refills my soul like the waters of a high mountain lake.
As a child, I loved the water, relishing days at the beach, earning ribbons on the school swim team, and staying in the pool all summer until my fingers wrinkled. My family had a summer cottage near Mt. Fuji. In our small community, a natural stone pool was fed by a mountain stream. And when I went off to Girl Scout camp, I became a distance swimmer in Lake Nikko.
The first time I saw Grand Lake, these memories kicked in, and I felt I'd found another home. Located at the headwaters of the Colorado River and at the corner of Rocky Mountain National Park, it's a small mountain town where my husband and I love to kayak. Did I say we love it? We're addicted to it. If we had a place on the lake, I'd kayak every day. (Well, not in winter!)
No wonder the idea for a Milford-Haven sister town was born years ago! It's called Mount Haven, and chapter by chapter, it's coming to life.
The characters and storylines are all their own, yet are interwoven with Milford-Haven, which lends the kind of synchronicity that's a favorite part of my own experiences, as well as my writing.
Ever run into a friend from another part of the country where they "don't belong?" I bet all of us have experienced this at least once. Ever found out your paths have been crossing with someone else's for years, yet neither of you knew? Yes. That's the kind of interweaving that happens in Mount Haven and Milford-Haven. So stay tuned. One of these days, a story from Mount Haven will pop into existence.
Replenish:
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To fill something up again.
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To restore to a former level or condition.
I'll be doing some serious replenishing this month. I hope you'll be able to do your own version of the same. Happy August! Happy Summer! Happy Reading!
Summer Book Tour Stop #1
My friend and fellow author Tammy L. Grace and I have so far had two fabulous bookstops in our Tammy & Mara's Summer Reading Book Tour! We'll have one more Book Stop in August.
Our first Book Stop was awesome! Our marvelous guest was Rebecca Forster. We three shared insights, humor, and stories you'll want to hear. And you can view the replay! I promise, it'll be an hour that flies by and will be well spent:
In case you missed it, no worries!
Summer Book Tour Stop #2
Our second Bookstop was uniquely fun! Our outstanding guest was Kay Bratt. We started by giving brief video tours of our fictional towns, Milford-Haven, Lavender Valley, and Hart's Ridge. Each small town has beauty, charm, and a few dangerous secrets.
Then we authors disappeared while our protagonists -- Miranda, Harry, and Taylor -- met in a charming cafe in fictional Hart's Ridge. What an interesting discussion they had! All of them have sisters, so that led off the discussion.
The protagonists then retreated off stage, and we authors wrapped things up. So if you're in the mood for a bit of "Author Drama," you can still tune in!
Of course, we included giveaways too, and had a blast hosting our virtual party. In case you missed it:
To watch the replay on Facebook
To watch the replay on my YouTube channel
Summer Book Tour Stop #3
Don't miss our final book stop! Join us live on Tammy's author page on FaceBook and we'll continue to post details.
Sign up early, and invite your friends!
Co-Host Author Tammy L. Grace
I hope by now you've begun to read books by my wonderful friend Tammy L. Grace. She has a vivid, creative mind for story, and a tremendous heart for readers. The moment you open one of her books, you'll feel her take you gently by the hand as she leads you into a tale full of friendship, wisdom, and love.
Tammy just loves her readers, and has created wonderful groups where they---and you---can connect, share ideas, offer insights, and discover a level of fun with fellow readers you may never have experienced before.
She has written several series, and her latest is all about a lovely fictional place called Lavender Valley. At the center of her story is a woman named Jewel whose heart is so big that over her long years she fosters many children. A small number of them really become her daughters, and as the series continues, we learn the stories of each of them. Tammy will be offering her prequel novel Greetings from Lavender Valley for FREE.
Co-Host Mara Purl
This summer tour has so far proven to be such an interesting and fun way to connect with those of you who already know my books, and with a lot of readers for whom my series will be something new and different.
During our summer-long virtual tour, I'm offering a DISCOUNTED book. Why not start with the prequel? When the Heart Listens is an award-winner and best-seller that will give readers the back-story of why and how protagonist Miranda moved from the big city of San Francisco to the little town of Milford-Haven.
Sibling rivalry, parental angst, courage, and some gorgeous scenery form the backdrop for personal growth, breakthroughs and an almost magically unfolding sense of home in this story.
August Guest - Bette Lee Crosby
Bette Lee Crosby lives in Florida and has the wit and wisdom of a "Southern Mama." She brings to her works of fiction a delightful blend of humor, mystery, and romance along with a cast of quirky charters who will steal your heart away.
Her work was first recognized in 2006 when she received The National League of American Pen Women Award for a then unpublished manuscript. She has since gone on to win more than twenty awards for her work; these include: The Royal Palm Literary Award, the FPA President’s Book Award Gold Medal, Reader’s Favorite Award Gold Medal, and the Reviewer’s Choice Award.
August Book Signing - Barnes & Noble
My wonderful group of Denver author colleagues and I will be signing together again, our final signing for the summer. We'll be in Westminster, Colorado. If you're nearby, join us!
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What - Author You Group Book Signing
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Where - Barnes & Noble, 9370 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, CO 80030
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When - Saturday, August 19, 10:00am - 5:00pm
The Milford-Haven Tour
There are three ways to visit California's fantastic Central Coast. The easiest and quickest way is to click on my new video, 'Welcome to Milford-Haven." It's one of about sixty videos you can enjoy on my YouTube Channel.
The most engrossing way to visit is to begin your journey of reading The Milford-Haven Novels, Novellas, and Novelettes, which now number eleven. Visit MaraPurl.com to discover everything about my books and where to purchase them.
To visit Up Close And Personal, join me on October 8th! I'll be leading a very special in-person tour of the real places that are either included in my books, or inspired fictional versions. This will include lighthouses, restaurants, shops, hikes, and more. If you'd like to join us, be sure to email me! MaraPurl@outlook.com.
More to Watch on YouTube
Did you know there are now more than 50 videos you can watch on my YouTube Channel?
Rather than watching them at random, I recommend diving into the Playlists. For example, there are Book Trailers that offer a glimpse into each individual novel or novellal, so you can choose which you'd like to read next.
There are also "Milford-Haven Location," which take you behind the scenes to discover some of the real places that inspired Milford-Haven locations. More Playlists include LIghthouses, Characters, Wildlife Adventures and more!
Novels Book Bundle!
Reading a series in sequence can really be fun! Even though my novels can be enjoyed on their own, they're more exciting in their chronological order. So this month, I'm offering a June Bundle!
Purchase softcover editions of Novels #1, #2, and #3 (the latest), and we'll ship you the prequel novella for free.
How it works:
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Order the 3 books from any bookseller you prefer.
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Email me your receipt along with your shipping address.
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We'll ship the prequel directly to you.
Titles to Order:
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What the Heart Knows (Novel #1)
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Where the Heart Lives (Novel #2)
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Why Hearts Keep Secrets (Novel #3)
FREE Title you'll receive:
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When the Heart Listens (Prequel)
Convenient links to get you started:
Special Hardcover Edition
The Milford-Haven Novels, Novellas, and Novelettes now include eleven books, all of which are available in ebook and softcover editions.
The core novels at this point are a Trilogy, bringing Miranda to the happiness she sought all through the series so far. The books in this trilogy are available in special hardcover editions. Remember these? Gorgeous, made to last, and works of art from inside to outside. These are available via special order and several readers have ordered them. They come signed and artfully wrapped.
The case binding is ocean-blue with silver spine lettering, the dust jacket is beautifully printed, and the trim size matches Novels #1 and #2---in case you're a collector. To arrange for your copy, please email Bellekeep@gmail.com. My publishing manager Tara Goff will take your order and give you all the details.
BONUS: If you choose to pay a bit extra for shipping, we will send you hardcovers of Novels #1 and #2 for FREE!
Next in Milford-Haven
Yes, I'm working on Novel #4, Whose Hearts Align. There will be so much still left to find out! What happens with Meredith, Zack, Samantha, Jack, Sally and Tony?? It's about half written and in the chronology, follows immediately after Why Hearts Keep Secrets.
Remember Miranda's sister Meredith? Whip-smart and stunningly gorgeous, she's otherwise quite an opposite to Miranda: confrontive where her sister is shy, abrasive where her sibling is gentle, and fiercely determined to succeed at work and at love. And, of course, there's quite a bit more to the continuing story.
We're planning a launch date of February 22, 2023 -- California Day. Excuse me, I better get back to writing!
New Genre New Book Form
The new genre is Cli-Fi. Heard of it yet? It's short for Climate Fiction (just as Sci-Fi is short for Science Fiction.) You could say it's a sub-set of SciFi because it wrangles with science.
Is it really new? Not to me. From the date when my radio drama Milford-Haven first hit the air on a tiny radio station in the small town of Cambria (1987) to the time it became a hit on BBC radio (1992), my show was always referred to as "The First Environmental Soap Opera." Key storylines involved a developer versus an environmental director in my fictional town, and my protagonist has always been an artist who paints wildlife, and therefore must spend time in nature, noticing its behavior and nuances.
It is often the job of good fiction to foresee what's likely to happen next. Just ask Margaret Atwood, Arthur C. Clark, and many others. When it comes to the issue of climate, at last, the world---and the world of fiction---is catching up.
Milford-Haven is taking a leap forward and doing some short-term prediction with the upcoming launch of a new form of book: the Novelline. What is it? A novel-novella with two special elements.
1 - Serial story-telling, which I've been inhabiting now for three decades.
2 - Linkages to the works of fellow authors. I'll be including fictional elements from other authors' books and series, creating an expanded tapestry for multiple participants.
I first introduced this concept in a guest post about shorter fiction on Anne R. Allen's wonderful blog in 2018. What fun to be developing it now! Though complex and challenging, this new form points to the inclusivity and synergy I encourage and support in fellow authors. And for our readers, it'll be a world of bonuses. Stay tuned!
With the Dreams in Milford-Haven
With the Dreams in Milford-Haven will be a "flash forward" that introduces the next-gen Milford-Haventies. My team and I are planning for this to be released on March 11, 2024 -- "World Dreams Day."
Since it's set in the near future, it has required some of my favorite and most engaging research, mostly centered on global warming and recycling issues. But while my characters, many of whom work in the sciences, wrangle with these to find solutions, they also wrestle with their own deepest desires. You'll meet Morgan Jones-Smith who . . . well, I better stop there. Spoiler Alert! I promise to keep you posted! One huge clue, though, is the cover, featuring another beautiful watercolor by Mary Helsaple. The view is from inside artist Miranda Jones' studio, looking toward a rainbow arcing across the property that . . . well, you can read about that in Novel #3, Why Hearts Keep Secrets!
Update from Wales
Drum roll please! The local U.K. edition of our book is now hot off the presses! The launch party in Milford Haven, Wales on June 22nd was nothing short of inspiring! My partner Sue Davies spoke, as did Colin Sharp, both with the Museum. I spoke via Zoom.
When our students stood up to talk about what this project had meant to them, and how thrilled they were to be published authors, I don't think there was a dry eye. Then the community leaders shared why this project had meant so much to them, and how they hoped projects like this would continue.
This book is the result of our year-long literacy project in Wales. This first run will be for the student-contributors, their families, the local community, and the Museum in Milford Haven, Wales, with whom I co-created the project. The text is printed in both English and Welsh.
I am thrilled and humbled to have instigated this project, which now has grown well beyond its first iteration on paper. We'll be doing individual launches at our schools, and we're working on the U.S. edition. I will keep you posted!
Upcoming Events
My 2023 Calendar at a glance:
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August 18 - Summer Book Tour Book Stop #3 with Mara Purl, Tammy Grace & Special Guest Bette Lee Crosby
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August 19th - Barnes & Noble signing, Westminster, Colorado
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September 11th - Colorado Authors Hall of Fame induction gala, Denver
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September 29th - Theatrical reading of "Becoming Julia Morgan," Cambria Center for the Arts, Cambria, California
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October 8th- Milford-Haven Tour in the Central Coast
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October 14th - Central Coast Writers Conference
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October 29th - Why Hearts Keep Secrets & With the Dreams in Milford-Haven - "Secrets & Dreams Book Tea," Los Angeles
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December - Where Xmas Marks the Spot book launch
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February 2 - 9, 2024 - Publishing at Sea Cruise, Los Angeles to Mexico
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February 22, 2024 - Whose Hearts Align Book Launch, California Day
CO Authors Hall of Fame Gala
Here's a special date to put on your September calendar: September 11th, Patriot's Day, the next Induction Ceremony at the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame.
We induct new members every other year, and this sparkling, inspiring evening is not to be missed!
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What - Induction Ceremony & Gala, Colorado Authors Hall of Fame
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When - Monday, September 11th
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Where - Hilton Doubletree at Denver Tech Center
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Tickets - Purchase Here
Publishing at Sea
The 2024 Cruise will be a different story. Quite different, actually, because it will be our first West Coast cruise! We will depart from my home city of Los Angeles, and cruise to the iconically beautiful ports of Mexico!
Aside from the fun, beauty, and relaxation of cruising, what is Publishing at Sea all about? Your breakthrough. For authors, publishers, illustrators, editors, and anyone involved in the creation and marketing of books, this is your opportunity to attend dynamic sessions, work one-on-one with experts, and create the book you've been dreaming of away from distractions. Ask anyone who has been on a previous cruise with us. It works!
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What: Publishing at Sea Cruise
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When February 2 - 9, 2024
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Where: Port of Los Angeles
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Ports of Call: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, & Puerto Vallarta
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Reserve now: Judith@Briles.com or 303-885-2207
My Heart is Grateful . . .
. . . for an especially busy and productive July!
I'm grateful to my author friend Tammy Grace for being so wonderful to work with during our Summer Tour. She's a gem! And her books about her character "Jewel" prove my point. :-) Our guests Rebecca Forster and Kay Bratt have been wonderful too. All of them remind me about how awesome women can be in terms of handling stacks of personal and professional issues all at the same time.
I'm grateful for family visits, some inspired by my husband's birthday, some just because we could find a date on busy calendars. And some because we got to see each other on Zoom or FaceTime.
On the Board of the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame, there's great excitement about our upcoming Induction ceremony, as well as the beautiful progress of our mentoring program and the young authors who received our scholarships. I chair a Climate group and both the research and the remarkable guests who present for us help us grapple with best practices to prevent further global warming, while inspiring exciting ideas for my CliFi Novellines.
And I'm grateful to you, my readers and followers, particularly those of you who joined us on FaceBook for our two Book Stops on the Summer Tour. There were nearly 5,000 of you! We are so appreciative.
Your comments there, and all your comments on sites like Amazon and GoodReads are immensely valuable! And I hope to see ALL of you during our continuing Summer Book Tour on-line. Wherever you are, have a wonderful rest of your summer as August gets rolling. I'm looking forward to some special moments during my birthday month. I hope you find your own special way to feel replenished, and I look forward to hearing about it! Happy August! And happy reading!
As always, love and gratitude, from my heart to yours!
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